The VR Capsules behind him shimmered in neon light. All cameras were rolling, and the professional staff was left to handle the shoot and real-time editing.
The stream hadn't started yet, but this would be used for the loading screen later.
Max stood behind Flexy with the other members, just as instructed. Silently, he watched the incoming professional players.
'They are all fits, unlike gamers from my past life.' He thought. Once again, he recognized the greatness of science.
Among them, 30% were women, which became a bit of a surprise for him if he based it on his previous life E-sport scene where some games' division was different between men and women. But, looking back at his team, he knew that they couldn't be underestimated.
'I am impressed, though. They aren't afraid of cockroaches... Or maybe they are? I don't know.'
The professional gamers were used to this kind of scene, where they were greeted by cameras. They waved their hands and posed. Flexy did a little speech as they walked and showed them the waiting room.
Only then did their team join the other in a small party. Even if it was called that, it was more like a gamers gathering to eat together. The clock showed 2 PM, so the meal put out was something pretty light. And because the Scrim would start soon, alcohol wasn't served to avoid a decline in performance.
Max stood in the corner while sipping an orange juice. Flexy was a way to communicate with other team leaders to talk about the Scrim. Only the members attended this party. Due to the duo lovers, Ferin and Atlas' popularity in their modeling and Horizon Online, many people surrounded them.
He couldn't help but chuckle when watching them try to hide their dissatisfaction, especially Ferin. But they had to act because there were also cameras inside this party room.
Naturally, some people also glanced at him, interested in the super rookie named Breeze. Some gazes were also directed at Lily, who stood next to him.
"It's uncomfortable."
"Hmm?"
"The gazes... They are similar to the ones I received at my family party." Lily explained while pretending not to care. "Filled with jealousy."
Indeed.
Some of the women were looking at her with clear jealousy in their eyes. Probably because they envied her almost-perfect appearance. Even in a bright orange jacket filled with sponsorship that Flexy gave them as a uniform, Lily's beauty hadn't been reduced much. It was on par with Ferin, a world-class model.
But Max was focused on something else. The gazes the girls directed at Lily weren't strange at all. They were pretty normal.
He didn't like how some people whispered while looking at them. He also didn't know what they talked about, but some were laughing after glancing at him. They definitely talked about nothing good.
"Well, yeah. It's suffocating." He said, agreeing with Lily.
She nodded and stayed silent.
After a few minutes of silence and only drinking juices on the corner, four young men approached them. One of them had a striking appearance, blond hair with black earrings on his ears. He was smirking confidently and looked extremely arrogant.
'Team Vorpal.' Max secretly eyed them and read the team they belonged to, 'One of the favorites to lose in an early round.' He added without changing his expression.
They stopped in front of the pair, and the blond-haired man raised his hand.
Unlike the angry Gallant, his teammates were able to hear what other people talked about. Their faces paled.
"Hey, I think it's bad continuing this. Maybe you don't know because you just stepped into the professional scene for less than a month, but that girl is dangerous. Let's go." He patted Gallant's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down.
"Hah?!"
Blinded by anger, the blond-haired guy glared at his teammates. However, the other party looked back calmly.
"Just follow my word right now if you want to stay in the team. The leader will kill you if he knows you hit on a girl before an important practice match."
Hearing that, Gallant clicked his tongue. "Tsk!"
He glared at Max for the last time before walking away.
"I won't forget this."
Their appearance and their disappearance were like those of a third time criminal in a movie. Max's anger disappeared in the middle of their conversation. Gallant was just a clown.
Still, that clown dared to bother them. His smile turned into a feral grin, but he quickly wiped it off and turned to Lily.
"Are you okay?"
"Un." She nodded and smiled, "I was okay, but thank you."
"You're welcome." He said.
Observing them from the sideline was Ferin and Atlas. The platinum-haired girl who saw everything secretly texted her other friend.
[Ferin: Ya! A nameless runt named Evan George, tagname Gallant, hit your sister. Breeze stops him, but I think that man will try to do something to both of them. I leave the rest to you!]
"Hehehe." A mischievous giggle escaped her lips, and it didn't escape her boyfriend.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Nothing." Ferin closed the small screen next to her and smiled brightly at him, "I just think there will be a bloodbath later."
"..." Atlas looked at her while holding on to the urge to sigh, "Just don't get yourself involved directly, or Breeze won't be able to blow his steam."
"Hehe, I won't."
The party continued as if nothing had happened afterward. The couple joined Max and Lily and talked until the leader returned from their meeting and joined.
And then, at 4 PM...
"It's time."